When Spyker was founded in 2000 after an absence of 75 years, we adopted the axiom “Nulla tenaci invia est via” - for the tenacious no road is impassable -. This axiom was first introduced in 1914 when Spyker merged with the Dutch Aircraft Factory N.V. On that occasion Spyker introduced its new logo as we use it today, consisting of an aircraft propeller and a wire wheel. The axiom has held true for Spyker ever since its introduction in 1914 and in particular since 2000. Getting to the point where we are today has been a massive undertaking, but so rewarding. Nine years into a our young history and we introduce the Spyker C8 Spyder SWB.
Engine
Top Speed (km/h)
0-100 km/h (sec)
Spyker’s design philosophy is that design details should enhance the beauty of the basic shape of a car. Designing a car, however, is more than creating a shape. It is creating a shape with the right proportions.
Spyker’s design is prominently inspired by the company’s aviation heritage. In the first generation cars the propeller design was consistently applied to many elements of the car. The design of the handcrafted Spyker C8 Spyder SWB represent the latest evolution of Spyker’s signature architecture, whereby the emphasis was shifted from the propeller engine to the turbine engine. As a result, for instance the bright polished air inlets of the earlier models were converted into turbine engine shaped air scoops. At Spyker we clearly adhere to “form follows function”, which entails that every design element of the car should be purely functional too. Consistency in design is one of the most difficult tasks to achieve when designing a car. Every element should be originating from the same handwriting and be consistent with the overall design.
The Spyker C8 is an advanced mid-engined two-seat sports car, characterized by lightweight construction and purity of design, with an uncompromising engineering package developed from scratch. The ultra-stiff space frame is manufactured from aluminium sheet and extrusions. The handcrafted body panels are supplied by Coventry Prototype Panels from the U.K. where craftsmanship is still considered an art.
Spyker has chosen to use only the best materials in building the Spyker C8. The material of choice for the construction of the car is aluminium, a complex material that requires handling by highly skilled professionals to get the best out of it, but that gives unparalleled results.
Spyker has put tremendous effort in the space frame of the C8, specifically the structure’s effi ciency. The utilisation of modern finite element and numerical optimization methods has allowed Spyker’s engineers to arrive at an exceptionally stiff structure of 22.000Nm/ degree. Rigid-node and load-path technology has been employed in order to ensure that the minimum amount of aluminium is used to achieve this performance, thus reducing the overall weight of the vehicle. The dynamic stiffness characteristics of the structure have been carefully tuned in order to minimize unwanted cabin noises and vibrations, which may otherwise detract from the driving experience. These technologies and measures have allowed Spyker to arrive at the most effi cient chassis in its history.
Because the main design principle of the Spyker C8 is that the shape of the car should always follow function, every part of the car, every detail must be genuine and have a proper use.
Every engineering detail reveals that the Spyker C8 is in effect a road-going race car. The streamlined fl oor section of the car creates the down force that keeps the car hugged to the ground at even the highest speed levels. The visible body details that help provide this ground effect are the splitter plate at the front and the diffuser at the rear, which is beautifully integrated in the rear body section.
All aluminium hand built, mid-engined sports car with aerodynamic ground effect and electrically operated single hinge tilting doors. Interior trimmed in Hulshof leather. Luggage compartment in front and rear, including two made-to-measure Hulshof leather suitcases. Fuel tanks integrated in left and right inner chassis members.
Engine Design
All aluminum Audi V8 engine with 90-degree block angle. Natural aspiration through eight injection throttle bodies. Four overhead camshafts and fi ve valves per cylinder. Stainless steel 4-into-1 high performance exhausts on either side of the engine.
Transmission
Manual six-speed Getrag gearbox without electronic intervention. Rear wheel drive. Drexler limited slip differential. ABS. Optional ZF automatic six-speed gearbox.
Chassis and suspension
Aluminum space frame clad with aluminium panels carries fully adjustable F1-style independent suspension in stainless steel, with Koni in-board shock absorbers. Uprights CNC machined from solid billets of aluminum.
Brake system
AP Racing twin-circuit brake system with adjustable brake balance. 6-piston aluminium brake callipers at the front, 4-piston aluminum brake calipers at the rear with ventilated brake discs. Brake disc diameter, front and rear, 356/330 mm.
Wheels and tires
Forged ATS alloy rims with central locknuts. Front tires, 225/40ZR 18 (Dunlop Sport). Rear tires, 255/35ZR 18 (Dunlop Sport). Magnesium Spyker 19” Rotorblade™ wheels are optional.
| Engine | V8 | ||
| Capacity | 4172 cc | ||
| Power | 298 kW (400 hp) | ||
| Torque | 480 Nm | ||
| Max. revolutions | 7200 rpm | ||
| Sizes and weights | |||
| KERB weight | 1250 kg (2750 lbs) | ||
| Wheelbase | 2575 mm (101”) | ||
| Front track | 1400 mm (55”) | ||
| Rear track | 1580 mm (62”) | ||
| Length | 4185 mm (165”) | ||
| Width (ex mirrors) | 1880 mm (74”) | ||
| Height | 1080 mm (42”) | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 75 litre (16,5 gallons) | ||
| Performance | |||
| Top speed km/h (mph) | 300 (187) | ||
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) | 4.5 seconds | ||
